Fan mounting structure

ABSTRACT

A fan mounting structure includes a casing, a fixing support and a protection means. The outside of the casing has an opening. The fixing support is connected to the casing and is provided with a fan accommodating space. The fan accommodating space is in communication with the opening. The protection means is connected to the casing. Via this arrangement, after the user detaches the fan body from the fixing support, the protection means can protect the electronic components within the casing from suffering damage due to external forces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fan mounting structure, and in particular to a fan mounting structure having a protection means for protecting internal electronic components.

2. Description of Related Art

Taiwan Patent Application No. 95116409 discloses a conventional fan mounting structure which includes a casing having an opening at its outside and a fixing support connected to the casing, provided with a fan accommodating space. The fan accommodating space is in communication with the opening.

However, after the fan is detached from the fan accommodating space of the fixing support to make the fan accommodating space empty, dust in the air may enter the casing, affecting the operation of the electronic components within the casing. Further, the user may touch the electronic components within the casing accidentally, which may cause a danger to safety.

Consequently, because of the above technical defects, the inventor keeps on carving unflaggingly through wholehearted experience and research to develop the present invention, which can effectively improve the defects described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a fan mounting structure provided with a protection means, whereby the electronic components within the casing can be protected from suffering damage due to external forces after the user detaches the fan body.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a fan mounting structure, which includes a casing having an opening at its outside; a fixing support connected to the casing and provided with a fan accommodating space, the fan accommodating space being in communication with the opening; and a protection means connected to the casing.

The present invention has advantageous features as follows. The fan body can be removed directly from the opening provided outside the casing to perform replacement or maintenance. Further, after the fan body is removed, the protection means can avoid environmental dust entering the casing and protect the electronic components within the casing from suffering damage due to external forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention with the protection means omitted;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another exploded perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is another exploded perspective view showing the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another exploded perspective view showing the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an assembled perspective view showing the protection means of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the state of uncovering the opening;

FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the protection means of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the state of uncovering the opening;

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view showing the protection means of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the state of covering the opening;

FIG. 12 is another assembled perspective view showing the protection means of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the state of covering the opening; and

FIG. 13 is a rear view showing the protection means of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in the state of covering the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present invention, a detailed description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only, but not used to limit the scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the dimension of some elements may be exaggerated for better illustration and not drawn in scale.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3, which show the fan mounting structure of a first embodiment of the present invention. The fan mounting structure includes a casing 10, a fixing support 20, a fan body 30 and a protection means 50 a.

In the present embodiment, the casing 10 is exemplified as a housing of a personal computer, but it is not limited thereto. The casing 10 has at least one side plate 11. The outside of the side plate 11 is provided with an opening 111. The opening 111 is in communication with the interior of the casing 10 and the shape of the opening is not limited to a specific form.

The fixing support 20 is a plate and is provided with two retaining walls 21. The two retaining walls 21 are arranged in such a manner that they face each other with a distance therebetween. A fan accommodating space 22 is formed between the two retaining walls 21 for accommodating the fan body 30. The fan accommodating space 22 is in communication with the opening 111.

The rear end of each retaining wall 21 is connected to a mounting portion 23. The mounting portion 23 is located in the fan accommodating space 22. The upper and lower ends of the mounting portion are provided with a screw hole 231 respectively for mounting the fan body 30.

The front end of each retaining wall 21 is connected to a fixing portion 24. The fixing portion 24 abuts against the inner surface of the side plate 11 adjacent to the left and right sides of the opening 111. The two fixing portions 24 can be connected to the inner surface of the side plate 11 by means of soldering, riveting or locking, so that the fixing support 20 can be fixed to the casing 10.

The fan body 30 is an axial fan, a centrifugal fan or roller fan (or referred to as a cross flow fan). In the present embodiment, the fan body 30 is exemplified as an axial fan. Four corners of the fan body 30 are provided with a circular through hole 31 respectively for fixing the fan body 30.

The protection means 50 a is connected on the side plate 11 of the casing 10. In the present embodiment, the protection means 50 a comprises two rails 51 a and a sliding door 52 a. The two rails 51 a are fixed on the side plate 11 of the casing 10 and are located on the upper and lower sides of the opening 111. Between the respective rail 51 a and the side plate 11 is formed with a space (not shown) in which the upper and lower ends of the sliding door 52 a can be inserted. In this way, the sliding door 52 a is slidingly disposed between the two rails 51 a. The sliding door 52 a is provided with a plurality of through holes 521 a for allowing air to pass through. The user can pull the sliding door 52 a directly to make it slide along the horizontal direction, so that the opening 111 of the casing 10 can be covered or uncovered by the sliding door 52 a.

In mounting the fan body 30, the sliding door 52 a has to be pulled away from the opening 111 (FIG. 2) to uncover the opening 111. Then, the fan body 30 passes through the opening 111 and is received in the fan accommodating space 22 of the fixing support 20. Four screws 40 are used to pass through the four through holes 31 of the fan body 30 to lock the fan body 30 on the screw holes 231 of the mounting portion 23, so that the fan body 30 can be locked to the fixing support 20. In this way, the fan body 30 can be mounted in the casing 10 via the opening 111. Thereafter, the sliding door 52 a is pulled back to the opening 111 (FIG. 3), thereby covering the opening 111 and the fan body 30.

When the fan body 30 is to be detached, the sliding door 52 a is pulled away from the opening 111, thereby uncovering the opening 111. Four screws 40 at four corners of the fan body 30 are loosened via the opening 111, thereby releasing the locking between the fixing support 20 and the fan body 30. In this way, the fan body 30 can be removed out of the fixing support 20, and thus the fan body 30 can be detached from the casing 10 via the opening 111.

Therefore, after the fan body 30 is detached from the casing 10, the user pulls the sliding door 52 a of the protection means 50 a to cover the opening 111, so that the sliding door 52 a can generate effects of filtering and protecting to obstruct dust in the air from entering the casing 10. Further, the user can be protected from touching the electronic components within the casing 10. Therefore, the problem that the user is in possible danger or the product suffers damage can be solved.

Please refer to FIGS. 4 and 5, which show a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is described as follows.

In addition to the two rails 51 a and the sliding door 52 a, the protection means 50 a further comprises a retaining block 53 a and an elastic unit 54 a. The retaining block 53 a is fixed on the side plate 11 with a proper distance from the opening 111. In the present embodiment, the elastic unit 54 a is a spring, but it is not limited thereto. The elastic unit 54 a is provided between the sliding door 52 a and the retaining block 53 a. After the sliding door 52 a is pulled (FIG. 4), the sliding door can return to the opening 111 via the restoring force of the elastic unit 54 a, thereby covering the opening 111 (FIG. 5) to protect it.

Please refer to FIGS. 6 and 7, which show a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is described as follows.

The protection means 50 b comprises a door frame 51 b, a door 53 b and a movable cover 52 b. The door frame 51 b is formed into a U shape and is provided at the opening 111 of the side plate 11. Both sides of the door frame 51 b are provided with a vertically-extending groove 511 respectively. The bottom of the two grooves 511 b is connected to an accommodating space 512 b.

The door 53 b is formed by arranging a plurality of plates 531 b that are adjacent to each other vertically. Connecting portions (not shown) are provided between the adjacent plates 531 b, so that each plate 531 b can drive a lower neighboring plate 531 b to move. Both sides of the plates 531 b are inserted in the grooves 511 b respectively, so that the plates 531 b can slide vertically.

The upper edge of each plate 531 b is formed with a ramp 532 b that is inclined downwardly from its rear end to the front end, and is provided with a plurality of through holes 533 b that allows air to pass through. The topmost plate 531 b is provided at its center with an operating portion 534 b that can be pulled or lifted by fingers. The accommodating space 512 b on the bottom of the door frame 51 b is used to accommodate the plates 531 b, and the height of the accommodating space is slightly larger than that of a plate 531 b.

The movable cover 52 b is provided between the door 53 b and the side plate 11 to abut against the rear side of the lowest plate 531 b. The movable shield is able to displace forwards and backwards via the action of an elastic unit 54 b. When the sliding door 53 b has not been pulled downwardly, the lowest plate 531 b is abutted by the movable shield 52 b, so that it is not retracted into the accommodating space 512 b.

When the user pulls the operating portion 543 b of the topmost plate 531 b with his fingers, the lowest plate 531 b will be pushed by the neighboring upper plate 531 b and thus is retracted into the accommodating space 512 b due to the pressure of the neighboring upper plate 531 b and the profile of the ramp 532 b provided on the upper edge of the plate 531 b. At the same time, the movable shield 52 b moves rearwards due to the action of the elastic unit 54 b. In this way, the bottom of the door frame 51 b forms two plates 531 b overlapping in the forward and backward direction, thereby lowering the height of the door 53 b. By pressing downwardly, all the plates 531 b can be received orderly in the accommodating space 512 b in such a manner that they overlap in the forward and backward direction, thereby descending the door 53 b to the lowest position (FIG. 6) to open the door.

When the user lifts the operating portion 534 b of the topmost plate 531 b with his fingers, the topmost plate will drive the neighboring lower plate 531 b to slide upwardly and orderly, so that the plates 531 b are arranged in the door frame 51 b (FIG. 7). At this time, the movable shield 52 b returns to its original position forwards due to the elastic force of the elastic unit and abuts against the rear side of the lowest plate 531 b, thereby closing the door.

In this way, after the fan body 30 is removed from the fan accommodating space 22 of the fixing support 20, the door 53 b can be lifted to shield the opening 111, thereby protecting the electronic elements within the casing 10.

Please refer to FIG. 8, which show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment is described as follows.

The protection means 50 c comprises a hinge means 51 c and a rotary door 52 c. The hinge means 51 c is provided on the side plate 11 and is located on one side of the opening 111. The rotary door 52 c is provided with a plurality of through holes 521 c for allowing air to pass through. One side of the rotary door 52 c is pivoted to the side plate 11 via the hinge means 51 c, so that the rotary door 52 c can open or shield the opening 111 via the hinge means 51 c.

The other side of the rotary door 52 c, opposite the hinge means 51 c, is provided with a first fixing portion 522 c (hook in the present embodiment). The side plate 11 is provided with a second fixing portion 112 (hole in the present embodiment) that can be connected to the first fixing portions 522 c correspondingly. Via this arrangement, after the rotary door 52 c shields the opening 111, the rotary door 52 c is fixed on the side plate 11 via the connection between the first fixing portion 522 c and the second fixing portion 112 (i.e., the hook is engaged in the hole).

Therefore, after the fan body 30 is removed from the fan accommodating space 22 of the fixing support 20, the rotary door 52 c can be rotated to shield the opening 111, thereby protecting the electronic components within the casing 10.

Please refer to FIGS. 9 to 12, which show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment is described as follows.

The protection means 50 d comprises a knob 51 d, a two-side gear wheel 52 d, a plurality of driven gear wheels 53 d, a plurality of driving gear wheels 54 d, a plurality of linkages 55 d and a plurality of shutters 56 d. One end of the knob 51 d is provided with a fixing shaft 511 d. The distal end of the fixing shaft 511 d is provided with a knob driving gear wheel 512 d.

The inside and outside of the two-side gear wheel 52 d are provided with inner teeth 521 d and outer teeth 522 d. The driven gear wheels 53 d are engaged with the inner teeth 521 d, and the knob driving gear wheel 512 d is engaged with the outer teeth 522 d, so that the two-side gear wheel 52 d, the driven gear wheels 53 d and the knob driving gear wheel 512 d are drivingly connected with each other.

The driving gear wheels 54 d are engaged with the corresponding driven gear wheels 53 d respectively. One end of each of the linkages 55 d is connected to the center of the rotating shaft of one of the driving gear wheels 54 d and thus can rotate synchronously with one of the driving gear wheels 54 d. The other end of each of the linkages 55 d are fixed on one side surfaces of the shutters 56 d, thereby causing the shutters 56 d to move. Of course, the shutters 56 d can be provided thereon with a plurality of through holes (not shown) for allowing air to pass through.

When the user turns the knob 51 d, the knob driving gear wheel 512 d drives the two-side gear wheel 52 d to rotate reversely (FIG. 10), which drives the driven gear wheels 53 d to rotate in the same direction as the two-side gear wheel 52 d. Further, the driving gear wheels 54 d rotate to cause the other ends of the linkages 52 d to displace, so that the shutters 56 d can move respectively along a curved trajectory T, thereby opening the shutters 56 d. When the user turns the knob 51 d reversely (FIG. 13), the operation mentioned the above can be similarly applied, thereby moving the shutters 56 d to shield the openings 111.

Therefore, after the fan body 30 is detached from the casing 10, the shutters 56 d shield the openings 111, thereby avoiding the user from touching the electronic components within the casing 10 and preventing dust in the air from entering the casing 10.

According to the above, with the fan mounting structure of the present invention, the fan body can be removed directly from the opening provided outside the casing to perform replacement or maintenance. Further, after the fan body is removed, the protection means can protect the electronic components within the casing from suffering damage due to external forces and avoid the user from touching the electronic components within the casing or dust in the air from entering the casing. Thus, the product may not suffer damage.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. 

1. A fan mounting structure, comprising; a casing having an opening at its outside; a fixing support connected to the casing and provided with a fan accommodating space, the fan accommodating space being in communication with the opening; and a protection means connected to the casing.
 2. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein fixing support has at least two retaining walls, the two retaining walls are arranged on opposite sides of the fixing support with a space therebetween, the fan accommodating space is formed between the two retaining walls, one end of each retaining wall is connected to a fixing portion, the fixing portion abuts against the casing, the other end of the retaining wall is connected to a mounting portion, and the mounting portion is provided with a plurality of screw holes.
 3. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, further comprising a fan body, the fan body being received in the fan accommodating space and assembled to or detached from the fixing support via the opening.
 4. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the protection means comprises two rails and a sliding door, the two rails are provided on the casing and located on two opposite sides of the opening, the sliding door is slidingly provided between the two rails to cover or uncover the opening.
 5. The fan mounting structure according to claim 4, wherein the protection means further comprises a retaining block and an elastic unit, the retaining block being fixed on the casing with a distance from the opening, and the elastic unit being provided between the sliding door and the retaining block.
 6. The fan mounting structure according to claim 4, wherein the sliding door is provided with a plurality of through holes allowing air to pass through.
 7. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the protection means comprises a door frame, a door and a movable cover, the door frame is provided at the opening, both sides of the door frame are provided with a groove respectively, the door comprises a plurality of plates, both sides of the plates are inserted in the two grooves, the movable cover is provided between the door and the side plate to abut against the rear side of the lowest plate, so that the plates are arranged in the door frame to cover the opening.
 8. The fan mounting structure according to claim 7, wherein the door is provided with a plurality of through holes for allowing air to pass through.
 9. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the protection means comprises a hinge means and a rotary door, the hinge means is provided on the casing, and one side of the rotary door is pivoted around the casing via the hinge means, thereby covering or uncovering the opening by the rotary door.
 10. The fan mounting structure according to claim 9, wherein the side of the rotary door opposite the hinge means is provided with a first fixing portion, and the casing is provided with a second fixing portion for connecting to the first fixing portion.
 11. The fan mounting structure according to claim 9, wherein the rotary door is provided with a plurality of through holes allowing air to pass through.
 12. The fan mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the protection means comprises a knob, a two-side gear wheel, a plurality of driven gear wheels, a plurality of driving gear wheels, a plurality of shutters and a plurality of linkages, one end of the knob is provided with a fixing shaft, a distal end of the fixing shaft is provided with a knob driving gear wheel, inner and outer sides of the two-side gear wheel are provided with inner teeth and outer teeth respectively, the driven gear wheels are engaged with the inner teeth, the knob driving gear wheel is engaged with the outer teeth, the driving gear wheels are engaged with the driven gear wheels respectively, one of the ends of the linkages is connected with the center of the rotating shaft of the driving gear wheels, the other end of the linkages is fixed to one side of each of the shutters.
 13. The fan mounting structure according to claim 12, wherein the shutters are provided with a plurality of through holes for allowing air to pass through. 